"Earth, Wind & Fire" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band BoyNextDoor for their second extended play (EP) How? (2024). It was released on April 15, 2024, through KOZ Entertainment as the EP's lead single. Members Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak wrote the song alongside producers Zico and Kako. Described as a hyperpop song, the lyrics narrate on a love story compared to the classical elements.
A Japanese version of the song was released on June 19, 2024, through Universal Music Japan as part of the group's debut Japanese maxi single "And,".
Background and release
On March 19, 2024, KOZ Entertainment announced BoyNextDoor's second extended play (EP) How?, marking their first release in seven months and forming the final part of their trilogy of releases narrating a story of a "first love".[1]
On March 29, the track list for the EP was released, with "Earth, Wind & Fire" marked as the lead single".[2] A snippet of the track was released on April 8, as part of a "track spoiler" preview for the EP.[3] A 23-second teaser for the single's music video was released on April 12, three days before the EP's release.[4]
Composition
"The killer part of the lead single is the sped-up section and the chorus where we spit out the lyrics at machine gun speed"
"Earth, Wind & Fire" has a runtime of two minutes and 59 seconds. The song was written by members Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak, alongside producers Zico and Kako. A hyperpop song, the track discusses a "love that does not go as planned".[6] Member Sungho remarked that the song's lyrics narrates a plot that "develops and changes constantly".[7] Lyrically, the song likens love to the "unpredictable nature" of the classical elements.[8][5]
Member Jaehyun drew inspiration from the British film franchise Kingsman in writing the song. Envisioning a character "exuding confidence and charm yet revealing vulnerability in intimate moments", Jaehyun aimed to "infuse a sense of gentleness" into the song.[9] Member Riwoo stated that the song expresses the "frustration that runs through your mind when you're in love but nothing goes as planned".[5] The track features a "sped-up" section that delivers the lines in a fast-pace.[5]
At a media showcase, the members clarified that the song's title bears no relation to the American band Earth, Wind & Fire.[10] An English version of the track is featured on the EP, and serves as its closing track.[11]
Music video
The music video for "Earth, Wind & Fire" was released in conjunction with the single and the EP.[4] Themed after the kitschcore aesthetic of How?,[12] the music video conveys the "unpredictable twists and turns of first love" and visualizes the song in constantly shifting landscapes set in Earth and outer space.[13] Member Riwoo was credited for contributing to the choreography for the song.[14]
A Japanese-language version of "Earth, Wind & Fire" was recorded for BoyNextDoor's debut Japanese maxi single "And,". It was released on June 19, 2024, through Universal Music Japan, with the full single being released on July 10. Japanese songwriter Kanata Okajima provided lyrics for the translated version of the song, with members Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak, and producers Kako and Zico also credited for writing.
Background and release
The "First love trilogy" of Who!, Why.., and How? earned BoyNextDoor steady commercial success in Japan, culminating with How? debuting at number one at the Oricon Albums Chart.[20][unreliable source?] On May 6, 2024, KOZ Entertainment announced that BoyNextDoor will debut in Japan with the release of their debut Japanese maxi single "And,".[21] The maxi single release included Japanese re-recordings of select tracks from the trilogy as well as the Japanese-language song "Good Day".[22][23] The Japanese version of "Earth, Wind & Fire" fronted the single and was released on June 19, ahead of the single's release.[24][25] The full single was released on July 10, alongside an alternate music video for the Japanese version of "Earth, Wind & Fire".[21][24]
Promotion
BoyNextDoor began promotional activities for "And," on June 19, with a surprise appearance at a listening party held at the Club Quattro in Shibuya, Tokyo, where the song "Good Day" was announced and the Japanese version of "Earth, Wind & Fire" was performed.[26][27] The band previously opened a photo exhibit on June 14 in collaboration with the retail chain Parco while pre-orders for the physical single began on May 8.[28][29]
BoyNextDoor accompanied the single's release with a showcase held at the Roppongi Hills Arena in Tokyo.[30][31] The band appeared in several Japanese programs to promote the single, including the TBS late-night music television program CDTV Live! Live! on July 9; the NTV news program DayDay on July 13 and the TBS music program Music Day the same day.[32]
Concept photos were released in the run-up to the single's release.[33] For the "syouyo" (逍遥, lit.'walking') concept, the images depict the members aimlessly wandering the streets of Japan as they share personal stories.[34][35] In the "yakou" (逍遥, lit.'night train') concept photos, the members are depicted running around in a Japanese train station and entering a convenience store.[36][37]
Commercial performance
"And," entered the Daily Single Ranking for the Oricon Chart dated July 10, marking the band's third number one single in the chart. The single cumulatively sold 163,482 copies in two days, double the number sold by How? in 2024.[38]
^Kim, Won-hee (March 23, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 이번엔 키치코어 '하우?' [BoyNextDoor, this time with kitschcore 'How?']. sports.khan.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
^Jeong, Ye-won (April 9, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 새 앨범 스포일러 던졌다...컴백 D-6 [BoyNextdoor throws out a spoiler for their new album... Comeback D-6]. News Culture (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (April 10, 2024). "신기한 노래...신선한 충격" 보이넥스트도어, 컴백 전 밝힌 타이틀곡 첫인상 ["An amazing song... a fresh shock" Boy Next Door, first impressions of the title song revealed before comeback]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
^Kim, Won-hee (April 4, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, '만찢' 매력 '윈드' 버전 콘셉트 필름 공개 [BoyNextDoor unveils 'wind' version concept film with 'rip-off' appeal]. sports.khan.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
^Ji, Mi-kyung (April 9, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 'HOW?' 트랙 스포일러 공개..다이내믹 에너지 [BoyNextDoor, 'HOW?' Track spoiler revealed...Dynamic Energy]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
^Ji, Min-kyung (April 23, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, '더쇼' 1위..웰메이드 앙코르 라이브도 화제 [BoyNextDoor takes first place on 'The Show'..Well-made encore live also becomes a hot topic] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lim, Ye-bin (April 26, 2024). 보넥도, 아일릿 꺾고 '뮤직뱅크' 1위 "받은 사랑 웃음으로 보답하겠다" [BND beats Illit to win first place on 'Music Bank' "I will repay the love I received with laughter"] (in Korean). Celuv Media. Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via Naver.
^Son, Jin-ah (May 6, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 日 정식 데뷔…7월 10일 첫 싱글 발매[공식] [BoyNextDoor, official debut in Japan… First single released on July 10th [Official]]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
^ abTakuo, Matsumoto (June 20, 2024). "BOYNEXTDOOR、渋谷で行われたリスニングパーティーに急遽参加！ファンと"新たな幕開け"をお祝い - スポニチ" [BOYNEXTDOOR suddenly participates in a listening party held in Shibuya! Celebrating a "new beginning" with fans]. Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^Takuo, Matsumoto (June 20, 2024). "BOYNEXTDOOR、リスニングパーティーを開催 ファンとともに"新たな幕開け"を祝った一夜" [BOYNEXTDOOR holds listening party, a night celebrating "a new beginning" with fans]. MusicVoice (in Japanese). Retrieved July 1, 2024.
^Hwang, Ye-jin (June 20, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 日 대대적 프로모션 돌입…깜짝 공연까지 [BoyNextDoor launches large-scale promotion in Japan... Until a surprise performance]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (June 20, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 日 데뷔 싱글 타이틀곡 선공개..깜짝 라이브 공연 [BoyNextDoor, Japanese debut single title song pre-released...surprise live performance]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^"BOYNEXTDOOR、初の来日ショーケースが決定 | Daily News" [BOYNEXTDOOR's first showcase in Japan has been decided]. Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
^Kang, Joo-hee (July 9, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 日 데뷔 예열…타이틀곡 티저 공개 [BoyNextDoor, Preparing for Japanese Debut…Title Song Teaser Released]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
^Park, Gy-eol (May 14, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 日 데뷔 시동…신보 콘셉트 포토 공개 [BoyNextDoor, Japan debut... New album concept photo released]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
^Choi, Hana (May 14, 2024). 보이넥스트도어, 7월 10일 일본 데뷔 싱글 'AND,' 발매 [BoyNextDoor releases Japanese debut single 'AND,' on July 10th]. tvdaily.co.kr. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
^"BOYNEXTDOORが日本デビューシングル「AND」のコンセプトフォト" [BOYNEXTDOOR's concept photo for their Japanese debut single "AND"]. Star News (in Japanese). May 22, 2024. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via AFPBB News.
^"BOYNEXTDOORが駅でダッシュ、そして深夜のコンビニへ（写真20枚 / 動画あり）" [BOYNEXTDOOR dashes off to the station and then to a late-night convenience store]. Natalie Music (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
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